Chief Judge: 17th Circuit judge threatened, harassed over decision to release suspect

The Chief Judge of Illinois’ 17th Judicial Circuit admonishes criticism of a judge’s recent decision to release a murder suspect.

From: 
WIFR

Students for profit? University of Illinois campuses pay company per online student

The University of Illinois Chicago and the University of Illinois Springfield are paying a for-profit company for each student it recruits to online programs — a practice that would be illegal if done by the universities’ admissions offices and one that’s been banned by another state.

From: 
NPR Illinois

Administrative Director Declares Illinois Associate Judge Appointed in the Nineteenth Judicial Circuit

Posted on October 15, 2025 by Marybeth Stanziola

 Marcia M. Meis, Director of the Administrative Office of the Illinois Courts, announced today that the Nineteenth Judicial Circuit judges voted to select Eric J. Kalata as associate judge of the Nineteenth Judicial Circuit.

Ex-AT&T Illinois head could see bribery charges dismissed under agreement with feds

La Schiazza on Tuesday entered into a deferred prosecution agreement with the government that includes a $200,000 fine and his admission that he intended to bribe Madigan via a contract for the powerful speaker’s political ally.

From: 
Capitol News Illinois

‘Nothing to compare it to’: Immigration attorneys describe chaotic and complex system

As federal immigration enforcement intensifies, suburban immigration attorneys are stepping up efforts to protect clients and keep them informed about their rights.

From: 
Daily Herald

Elections board hearing officer recommends Illinois Senate President Don Harmon pay nearly $10 million fine

The Illinois State Board of Elections will decide next week whether it should follow a hearing officer’s recommendation and reject state Senate President Don Harmon’s appeal of a nearly $10 million fine for accepting campaign contributions in excess of state campaign finance limits.

From: 
Chicago Tribune

Limiting ICE presence top priority for some Illinois lawmakers as they return for veto session

Lawmakers are back in Springfield for their veto session and immigration policies are quickly taking center stage during the legislature’s October session.

From: 
WCIA

Illinois sues State Farm for not releasing homeowners’ insurance data

State Farm is being sued by the State of Illinois, which claims the Bloomington firm is breaking the law by refusing to turn over homeowners’ insurance data for a regulatory examination.

From: 
25 News Now

SIU Simmons Law School Increases First-Time Bar Exam Passage Rates

Posted on October 14, 2025 by Marybeth Stanziola

CARBONDALE, Ill. — With an evidence-based, individualized and comprehensive approach, Southern Illinois University Simmons Law School is enjoying significant increases in first-time passage rates for recent graduates sitting for bar exams.

In Illinois, 77% of 2025 graduates who took the Illinois State Bar Exam in July for the first time passed on the first attempt, while in Missouri, 86% of SIU graduates who took the test passed the first time. Both results are nearly 15 percentage points higher than first-time test results for 2024 graduates.